I wish to advise the Deputy that nine prisoners are currently held in Portlaoise Prison on warrants awaiting trial in the Special Criminal Court. The length of time they are detained awaiting trial is outlined in the table below.
Number of Prisoners
|
Less than 12 months
|
1 - 2 years
|
2 - 3 years
|
Greater than 3 years
|
09
|
05
|
04
|
0
|
0
|
The Deputy will be aware that the Government recently appointed seven serving judges to the bench of the second Special Criminal Court that was established by Government Order on 14 December 2004. There is a backlog of cases in the existing Special Criminal Court with delays of approximately twenty months in cases coming to trial. In order to address this I sought the necessary Government approval on 28 October 2015, to appoint judges to the second Special Criminal Court.
There are certain practical and procedural tasks that need to be undertaken before the second Courts can start hearing cases, such as organising courtroom accommodation, chambers for judges, the drafting of the necessary rules of court and it will also be necessary to appoint a Court Registrar. I anticipate that when the second Special Criminal Court commences hearing cases there will be a reduction in waiting times for cases awaiting trial.